The University of Mississippi Athletics
Tuesday, February 17
Oxford, Miss.
4 PM
Ole Miss
vs
Arkansas State
Baseball Welcomes Arkansas State and Jackson State for Midweek Action
2/16/2026 | Baseball
OXFORD, Miss. – Ole Miss Baseball keeps things rolling this week with games against Arkansas State on Tuesday and Jackson State on Wednesday. First pitch for both games is set for 4 p.m. at Swayze Field.
LEADING OFF
Game 1: RHP Owen Kelly (0-0, 0.00 ERA) vs. RHP Collin Maloney
Game 2: RHP Terry Hayes Jr. vs. TBD
BROADCAST INFORMATION
Both games will be streamed live on SEC Network+ with Jake Hromada (PxP) and Keith Kessinger (analyst) on the call.
Fans can listen to all Ole Miss Baseball games, home and away, on the Ole Miss Radio Network with David Kellum (PxP) and Brad Henderson (analyst) on the call.
SCOUTING REPORT: ARKANSAS STATE
Mike Silva has entered his second season guiding Arkansas State's baseball program after spending three seasons at Nicholls. While there, he earned 2023's Southland Conference Coach of the Year.
In his first season with the Red Wolves last season, he orchestrated one of the most significant turnarounds in program history. Arkansas State won 26 overall games last season, the most by the Red Wolves since 2019. He guided the Red Wolves to a return to the Sun Belt Conference Tournament, their first appearance since 2021.
It will be a battle of undefeated teams on Tuesday, as Arkansas State swept Stony Brook in its opening series this past weekend. The Red Wolves were strong in their offensive attack, scoring nine, four and 12 runs in their games. Ashton Quiller and Patrick Engskov have lived up to their preseason accolades, leading the team in batting average in the season. Quiller had seven hits in the three games, including a home run.
Sophomore transfer Lane Walton also made a statement in his first series as a Red Wolf. He hit .417 for the weekend and blasted three home runs against Stony Brook pitchers. He drove in six runs for Arkansas State in the series.
Red Wolf pitchers combined for 27 strikeouts in the opening series, led by Richter and Dylan Farley. The staff exited the weekend with a combined 4.15 ERA.
One of the more storied nonconference series in Ole Miss history, Tuesday's game will be the 118th outing against Arkansas State. Ole Miss has won 92 of the games to only 25 losses, which is the second most victories in program history against nonconference foes behind only Memphis. Thirty-four of the wins have come in the Bianco era, one of which came last season in the form of a 4-2 victory in Oxford.
SCOUTING REPORT: JACKSON STATE
Omar Johnson is in his 20th season as Jackson State's head coach. During his tenure, he's guided the Tigers to a winning season every year he's been at the helm, including 15 30-win seasons. Under his tutelage, Jackson State has earned seven SWAC Eastern Division titles and two overall SWAC Championships.
Despite his success, Jackson State suffered a slightly down year in 2025. The Tigers managed to go 30-21, but finished sixth in the conference and failed to defeat Alabama State in the SWAC Tournament.
The Tigers benefitted from having last season's SWAC Pitcher of the Year in Eric Elliott but will be without his services this season after graduating in 2025. In fact, Jackson State's top three pitchers from last season have all moved on to other ventures. Nkosi Didder is Jackson State's most experienced returner on the mound after making 25 relief appearances last season, recording a 5.16 ERA and 30 strikeouts.
At the plate, Hederick Torres and Wilbert Perez are the top returners. Torres had the highest batting average among returning players this season, hitting .346 last season. He's a contact hitter, connecting on only six extra base knocks, but he's effective when at the plate.
Jackson State competed in the MLB HBCU Power Series to open the 2026 campaign, going 1-2 in the tournament. Its lone win came against Alabama A&M, 6-1, on Saturday. Alvarez had a solid game at second base with two hits including a double and an RBI. Jackson State fell to Prairie View A&M and Alcorn State.
Alvarez was Jackson State's top hitter for the weekend, going 5-for-8 from the plate. Isaac McClenty and Tyree Reed also had solid performance, each collecting three hits on the weekend.
Ole Miss and Jackson State are meeting on the diamond for just the 10th time ever. The Rebels are undefeated in the nine previous games, the last seven of which have been in Oxford. Head coach Mike Bianco has managed eight games against the Tigers, including once last season when the Rebels won 18-7 in seven innings.
BIG GAME HUNTER
Hunter Elliott returns to the Ole Miss rotation as the most experienced pitcher on the staff. He turned in one of the best seasons in Rebel history last year, becoming just the fifth pitcher to record a 10-win, 100-strikeout season finishing with a 10-3 record and 102 punchouts. He also became just the fourth pitcher in program history to record 100+ strikeouts in two different seasons. His 2.94 ERA was the lowest by a Rebel starting pitcher since his freshman season when he finished with an ERA of 2.70.
Elliott is the only returning pitcher in the country to have earned 10+ wins and struck out 100+ hitters in 2025.
BRING THE BOOM
The Ole Miss offense set a new program record for home runs in a season in 2025, crushing 124 home runs. It was just the second time in program history that an Ole Miss team has cracked the 100-home run mark.
The Rebels finished fifth nationally in total home runs, ninth nationally in home runs per game (1.94), and 13th nationally in walks drawn (345). They were one of just four programs in the country to have two 20+ home run hitters and one of six programs to finish with 100+ home runs, 100+ doubles, and 100+ hit by pitches.
There are only 16 returning players who hit 20 or more home runs in 2025 and three of them will be in Ole Miss' Opening Day lineup: Judd Utermark, Austin Fawley, and Daniel Pacella.
BASH BROS
Judd Utermark and Austin Fawley both broke the 20-home run mark in 2025, becoming the first pair of Rebel teammates in program history to each hit 20+ home runs in a single season.
Utermark finished with 22 home runs, the second-most by a Rebel in a single season, just two shy of the program record of 24 set by Tim Elko in 2022.
The 2025 Rebels finished with three hitters with 15+ home runs for the first time in program history and six hitters with 10+ home runs, also for the first time in program history.
IMPROVEMENT ON THE MOUND
In the first season under pitching coach Joel Mangrum, the Ole Miss pitching staff finished sixth nationally in total strikeouts. They struck out 669 hitters, 127 more than their total from 2024, which was the largest increase in the country.
The staff also finished 12th nationally in strikeouts per nine innings, averaging 10.8 strikeouts per game.
D1BASEBALL PRESEASON PLAYER RANKINGS
Ole Miss was well represented in D1Baseball's annual Preseason Player Rankings, placing at least one player at almost every position. Hunter Elliott was the highest ranked Rebel coming in at No. 5 on the list of Starting Pitchers. Cade Townsend also made the list at No. 117.
Austin Fawley was ranked as the No. 8 Catcher, Judd Utermark was ranked as the No. 10 Third Baseman, Dom Decker was ranked the No. 26 Second Baseman, and Will Furniss was ranked the No. 30 First Baseman. Daniel Pacella came in at No. 59 on the list of Outfielders and Landon Koenig (#51) and Owen Kelly (#78) each made the list of Relief Pitchers.
PRESEASON AWARDS
Hunter Elliott has been one of the most decorated players heading into the 2026 season. He was named to the 2026 Golden Spikes Award Watch List and earned Preseason All-America honors from the NCBWA, Perfect Game, D1Baseball, The Diamond Report, and Just Baseball Media. He was also named to the Preseason All-SEC Team that is voted on by the league's head coaches.
Judd Utermark was named a Preseason All-American by the NCBWA and Will Furniss was named to the Preseason All-SEC Team at first base. Austin Fawley was one of 10 catchers in the country to make the 2026 Buster Posey Preseason Watch List.
NEW FACES IN THE DUGOUT
Ole Miss added 19 new faces to the roster for the 2026 season, 10 transfers and nine freshmen. With 21 overall letterwinners lost from the 2025 season, the newest Rebels will look to make an immediate impact on the field.
Daniel Pacella and Tristan Bissetta, both Division I transfers, will man the corner outfield positions in 2026. Pacella comes from Illinois State where he hit .310 with 48 home runs over 107 games for the Redbirds. He hit 20 home runs in 2025, the second-most in program history. Bissetta spent his first three seasons at Clemson, hitting .266 over 87 games. He hit .298 in 2024 before his 2025 season was cut short by an arm injury.
Dom Decker will be injected into the infield after having a breakout season with Murray State in 2025. He started in 60 games for the Racers, hitting .351 with an on-base percentage of .496 which was top 40 in the NCAA.
Wil Libbert opens the season as the third member of the weekend rotation after spending his two seasons at Missouri. He worked 53.2 innings over 11 starts in 2025, striking out 55 hitters and posting a record of 3-4.
STAY CONNECTED
Get rewarded for attending events by joining Rebel Rewards powered by Coca-Cola, the official fan loyalty program of the Ole Miss Rebels. Download the Ole Miss Sports mobile app, sign up for a Rebel Rewards account, and start earning points immediately that can be redeemed for exclusive prizes and experiences.
Keep up with all the latest news and information on the Rebels by following Ole Miss baseball on X at @OleMissBSB, on Facebook at Facebook.com/OleMissBaseball, on Instagram at Instagram.com/officialolemissbsb and on TikTok at @olemissbsb. Also, follow head coach Mike Bianco on X at @CoachMikeBianco.
LEADING OFF
- Ole Miss completed a three-game sweep of Mountain West champs Nevada for Opening Weekend.
- The Rebels outscored the Wolfpack 29-6, allowing just four earned runs on the weekend.
- Outfielder Tristan Bissetta hit .500 (5-for-10) with seven RBI and five runs scored in his first three games as a Rebel.
- Will Furniss also hit .500 (4-for-8) with four walks and five runs scored on the weekend.
- The Rebel pitching staff racked up 35 strikeouts, their highest Opening Weekend total in a three-game series since 2023 against Delaware.
- Hunter Elliott earned his first win of the season, striking out seven and allowing just five baserunners over five innings.
- Wil Libbert made his Rebel debut on Sunday, earning the win and striking out seven hitters over five innings.
- Cade Townsend struck out eight batters in 4.2 innings, throwing 48 of 54 pitches for strikes.
- The bullpen did not allow an earned run all weekend with Taylor Rabe and Hudson Calhoun both turning in 3+ inning long relief appearances.
- Brett Moseley and Tate Sirmans each made their collegiate debuts this weekend. They both hit home runs for their first career hits, Moseley on Friday and Sirmans on Saturday.
- 1,918 students attended Friday's season opener, marking the largest Opening Day student crowd since 2022.
Game 1: RHP Owen Kelly (0-0, 0.00 ERA) vs. RHP Collin Maloney
Game 2: RHP Terry Hayes Jr. vs. TBD
BROADCAST INFORMATION
Both games will be streamed live on SEC Network+ with Jake Hromada (PxP) and Keith Kessinger (analyst) on the call.
Fans can listen to all Ole Miss Baseball games, home and away, on the Ole Miss Radio Network with David Kellum (PxP) and Brad Henderson (analyst) on the call.
SCOUTING REPORT: ARKANSAS STATE
Mike Silva has entered his second season guiding Arkansas State's baseball program after spending three seasons at Nicholls. While there, he earned 2023's Southland Conference Coach of the Year.
In his first season with the Red Wolves last season, he orchestrated one of the most significant turnarounds in program history. Arkansas State won 26 overall games last season, the most by the Red Wolves since 2019. He guided the Red Wolves to a return to the Sun Belt Conference Tournament, their first appearance since 2021.
It will be a battle of undefeated teams on Tuesday, as Arkansas State swept Stony Brook in its opening series this past weekend. The Red Wolves were strong in their offensive attack, scoring nine, four and 12 runs in their games. Ashton Quiller and Patrick Engskov have lived up to their preseason accolades, leading the team in batting average in the season. Quiller had seven hits in the three games, including a home run.
Sophomore transfer Lane Walton also made a statement in his first series as a Red Wolf. He hit .417 for the weekend and blasted three home runs against Stony Brook pitchers. He drove in six runs for Arkansas State in the series.
Red Wolf pitchers combined for 27 strikeouts in the opening series, led by Richter and Dylan Farley. The staff exited the weekend with a combined 4.15 ERA.
One of the more storied nonconference series in Ole Miss history, Tuesday's game will be the 118th outing against Arkansas State. Ole Miss has won 92 of the games to only 25 losses, which is the second most victories in program history against nonconference foes behind only Memphis. Thirty-four of the wins have come in the Bianco era, one of which came last season in the form of a 4-2 victory in Oxford.
SCOUTING REPORT: JACKSON STATE
Omar Johnson is in his 20th season as Jackson State's head coach. During his tenure, he's guided the Tigers to a winning season every year he's been at the helm, including 15 30-win seasons. Under his tutelage, Jackson State has earned seven SWAC Eastern Division titles and two overall SWAC Championships.
Despite his success, Jackson State suffered a slightly down year in 2025. The Tigers managed to go 30-21, but finished sixth in the conference and failed to defeat Alabama State in the SWAC Tournament.
The Tigers benefitted from having last season's SWAC Pitcher of the Year in Eric Elliott but will be without his services this season after graduating in 2025. In fact, Jackson State's top three pitchers from last season have all moved on to other ventures. Nkosi Didder is Jackson State's most experienced returner on the mound after making 25 relief appearances last season, recording a 5.16 ERA and 30 strikeouts.
At the plate, Hederick Torres and Wilbert Perez are the top returners. Torres had the highest batting average among returning players this season, hitting .346 last season. He's a contact hitter, connecting on only six extra base knocks, but he's effective when at the plate.
Jackson State competed in the MLB HBCU Power Series to open the 2026 campaign, going 1-2 in the tournament. Its lone win came against Alabama A&M, 6-1, on Saturday. Alvarez had a solid game at second base with two hits including a double and an RBI. Jackson State fell to Prairie View A&M and Alcorn State.
Alvarez was Jackson State's top hitter for the weekend, going 5-for-8 from the plate. Isaac McClenty and Tyree Reed also had solid performance, each collecting three hits on the weekend.
Ole Miss and Jackson State are meeting on the diamond for just the 10th time ever. The Rebels are undefeated in the nine previous games, the last seven of which have been in Oxford. Head coach Mike Bianco has managed eight games against the Tigers, including once last season when the Rebels won 18-7 in seven innings.
BIG GAME HUNTER
Hunter Elliott returns to the Ole Miss rotation as the most experienced pitcher on the staff. He turned in one of the best seasons in Rebel history last year, becoming just the fifth pitcher to record a 10-win, 100-strikeout season finishing with a 10-3 record and 102 punchouts. He also became just the fourth pitcher in program history to record 100+ strikeouts in two different seasons. His 2.94 ERA was the lowest by a Rebel starting pitcher since his freshman season when he finished with an ERA of 2.70.
Elliott is the only returning pitcher in the country to have earned 10+ wins and struck out 100+ hitters in 2025.
BRING THE BOOM
The Ole Miss offense set a new program record for home runs in a season in 2025, crushing 124 home runs. It was just the second time in program history that an Ole Miss team has cracked the 100-home run mark.
The Rebels finished fifth nationally in total home runs, ninth nationally in home runs per game (1.94), and 13th nationally in walks drawn (345). They were one of just four programs in the country to have two 20+ home run hitters and one of six programs to finish with 100+ home runs, 100+ doubles, and 100+ hit by pitches.
There are only 16 returning players who hit 20 or more home runs in 2025 and three of them will be in Ole Miss' Opening Day lineup: Judd Utermark, Austin Fawley, and Daniel Pacella.
BASH BROS
Judd Utermark and Austin Fawley both broke the 20-home run mark in 2025, becoming the first pair of Rebel teammates in program history to each hit 20+ home runs in a single season.
Utermark finished with 22 home runs, the second-most by a Rebel in a single season, just two shy of the program record of 24 set by Tim Elko in 2022.
The 2025 Rebels finished with three hitters with 15+ home runs for the first time in program history and six hitters with 10+ home runs, also for the first time in program history.
IMPROVEMENT ON THE MOUND
In the first season under pitching coach Joel Mangrum, the Ole Miss pitching staff finished sixth nationally in total strikeouts. They struck out 669 hitters, 127 more than their total from 2024, which was the largest increase in the country.
The staff also finished 12th nationally in strikeouts per nine innings, averaging 10.8 strikeouts per game.
D1BASEBALL PRESEASON PLAYER RANKINGS
Ole Miss was well represented in D1Baseball's annual Preseason Player Rankings, placing at least one player at almost every position. Hunter Elliott was the highest ranked Rebel coming in at No. 5 on the list of Starting Pitchers. Cade Townsend also made the list at No. 117.
Austin Fawley was ranked as the No. 8 Catcher, Judd Utermark was ranked as the No. 10 Third Baseman, Dom Decker was ranked the No. 26 Second Baseman, and Will Furniss was ranked the No. 30 First Baseman. Daniel Pacella came in at No. 59 on the list of Outfielders and Landon Koenig (#51) and Owen Kelly (#78) each made the list of Relief Pitchers.
PRESEASON AWARDS
Hunter Elliott has been one of the most decorated players heading into the 2026 season. He was named to the 2026 Golden Spikes Award Watch List and earned Preseason All-America honors from the NCBWA, Perfect Game, D1Baseball, The Diamond Report, and Just Baseball Media. He was also named to the Preseason All-SEC Team that is voted on by the league's head coaches.
Judd Utermark was named a Preseason All-American by the NCBWA and Will Furniss was named to the Preseason All-SEC Team at first base. Austin Fawley was one of 10 catchers in the country to make the 2026 Buster Posey Preseason Watch List.
NEW FACES IN THE DUGOUT
Ole Miss added 19 new faces to the roster for the 2026 season, 10 transfers and nine freshmen. With 21 overall letterwinners lost from the 2025 season, the newest Rebels will look to make an immediate impact on the field.
Daniel Pacella and Tristan Bissetta, both Division I transfers, will man the corner outfield positions in 2026. Pacella comes from Illinois State where he hit .310 with 48 home runs over 107 games for the Redbirds. He hit 20 home runs in 2025, the second-most in program history. Bissetta spent his first three seasons at Clemson, hitting .266 over 87 games. He hit .298 in 2024 before his 2025 season was cut short by an arm injury.
Dom Decker will be injected into the infield after having a breakout season with Murray State in 2025. He started in 60 games for the Racers, hitting .351 with an on-base percentage of .496 which was top 40 in the NCAA.
Wil Libbert opens the season as the third member of the weekend rotation after spending his two seasons at Missouri. He worked 53.2 innings over 11 starts in 2025, striking out 55 hitters and posting a record of 3-4.
STAY CONNECTED
Get rewarded for attending events by joining Rebel Rewards powered by Coca-Cola, the official fan loyalty program of the Ole Miss Rebels. Download the Ole Miss Sports mobile app, sign up for a Rebel Rewards account, and start earning points immediately that can be redeemed for exclusive prizes and experiences.
Keep up with all the latest news and information on the Rebels by following Ole Miss baseball on X at @OleMissBSB, on Facebook at Facebook.com/OleMissBaseball, on Instagram at Instagram.com/officialolemissbsb and on TikTok at @olemissbsb. Also, follow head coach Mike Bianco on X at @CoachMikeBianco.
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IF
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